Accelerate the Sentinel, LRSO, Columbia-class, B-21, and F-35 DCA programs

What has happened

1. Dec 18, 2025 Partially done

   The FY2026 NDAA adds schedule discipline rather than schedule compression. Sec. 1634 rewrites the B-21 nuclear certification requirement so the aircraft must be certified for nuclear gravity bombs within 180 days of initial operational capability and for the AGM-181 long-range standoff weapon within two years of either reaching IOC - the LRSO and the B-21 dual-capable mission the Quote names, now on a statutory clock. Sec. 1636 authorizes life-of-program contracts for Sentinel solid rocket motor nozzle material. Against that, sec. 1641 assumes Minuteman III must be sustained until Sentinel reaches full operational capacity, which is not what acceleration looks like.

   • National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (P.L. 119-60), secs. 1634 and 1636 - B-21 nuclear certification requirement and Sentinel contracting authority

     Primary Congress Dec 18, 2025

2. Jul 4, 2025 Partially done

   Section 20008(a) of the reconciliation act (P.L. 119-21) put acceleration money against four of the five programs the Quote names: $2,500,000,000 for Sentinel risk reduction, $4,500,000,000 only for expansion of B-21 production capacity and the aircraft that capacity makes available, $400,000,000 to accelerate development of the Trident D5LE2 submarine-launched ballistic missile that arms the Columbia class, $2,000,000,000 to accelerate the nuclear-armed sea-launched cruise missile and $150,000,000 to accelerate military nuclear weapons delivery programs generally. Nothing names the Long Range Standoff Weapon or the F-35 dual-capable aircraft.

   • P.L. 119-21 sec. 20008(a) - enhancement of resources for nuclear forces

     Primary Congress Jul 4, 2025